On January 21, 2026, the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group held a retreat in the prayer room of the Parliament's Dome Hall to mark the beginning of the spring session.
At this sixth annual event, as in previous years, the speakers addressed topics that are important and relevant to our Christian faith.
The guest and invited speaker at the retreat was Father Pál Reisz OFM, former director of the Pelbárt Ferences Gymnasium in Esztergom, who currently serves at the Alcantarai Szent Péter Church in Ferenciek Square (Budapest).
Father Pál first drew attention to the Franciscan Order's jubilee year, as 2026 will mark the 800th anniversary of the transitus, or blessed death, of St. Francis of Assisi.
He emphasized that the first nativity scene was also associated with St. Francis. In 1223, on the feast of the Nativity, a manger was set up near Greccio, hay was placed in it, and an ox and a donkey were placed next to it. Then people were invited to celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation together. This was not just a casual idea, but a real theological consideration. Everyone present could have a tangible and personal experience of Jesus' incarnation and what this mystery means for us ordinary people. St. Francis wanted people to see, feel, and touch how God's incarnation has a wonderful effect on their lives.
For him, the mystery of the Incarnation reveals the greatness of the divine love that the Lord has given us, human beings. God became man because He is Love. God is infinite Love; and infinite Love is free and infinitely greater than man or his sin. The tangibility with which St. Francis of Assisi celebrated the mystery of the Incarnation in Greccio calls us too to put goodness, not sin, at the center of our lives. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
Antal Kiss, permanent deacon and member of the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group, gave a presentation on the role of deacons in the 21st century. The first deacons were chosen and "ordained" around 33-35 AD, shortly before the great persecutions of Christians, following the death and resurrection of Christ.
According to Chapter 29 of Lumen Gentium, the document of the Second Vatican Council on the Church, their duties include: baptism, administering the Eucharist, assisting in marriages, funerals, leading the liturgy of the hours and paraliturgies. During Mass, he reads the Gospel, may give a homily, and assists the bishop or priest. Cardinal Walter Kasper often said that the priest and the deacon are the two arms of the bishop.
According to William Ditewig, head of the Office of the Diaconate of the Diocese of Monterey, California: "The idea was clearly to ordain married men who were raising children, working, and active in the world. (...) Every deacon is aware of the order of importance. The most important thing is your relationship with God. Second is your relationship with your spouse and family. Third is your relationship with your employer. Then comes your relationship with the church/parish. (...) You have committed yourself to a dual sacramental life."
In other words, the deacon is a sign in the world, as he is the bearer of the sign of baptism, the Eucharist, and the Holy Spirit, living in the sacraments of marriage and priesthood, in the sacrament of forgiveness and the sacrament of the sick. He is an exclamation mark in a relativistic world full of question marks. In the words of the consecration prayer, his task is to "stand by Christ and encourage others to follow him by his example."
Mónika Bartos, a member of the board of trustees of the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group Foundation, gave a presentation on the role of faith in international political cooperation. As a historical example, she mentioned that the Assyrians conquered and subjugated peoples in the name of the god Assur, but it was also part of the Byzantine Empire's self-image to spread Christianity. From the point of view of their own security, they considered it beneficial if the peoples living around them and in neighboring countries were also Christian. Religion also played a major role in enabling the ancient, independent Greek city-states to live in unity with one another.
His personal experiences with contemporary diplomacy also show that it matters whether negotiations take place between groups with similar cultures and civilizations or not. Every culture and civilization considers itself to be the center of creation and interprets history based on its own experience. This is also true of religions. At interfaith conferences, it is evident that representatives of different religions all believe that they represent the truth.
In connection with the Second Vatican Council, he emphasized that it provided a new framework for religious diplomacy. Pope John XXIII, who convened the council, had himself served as nuncio in several countries and experienced the horrors of World War II. In response to this, one of the topics of the council was the question of religious freedom, according to which people can choose and even change their religion. It also dealt with ecumenism and relations with non-Christian religions. This was particularly important, as previous popes (such as Benedict XV) had regarded non-Christian religions as superstition. The teachings of the Council thus emphasized the importance of respect, dialogue, understanding, and respect for human dignity among different religions. In the context of the relationship between the Church and the world, it mentions peace, which does not primarily mean the absence of war. Peace is the fruit of the order planted in society by God.
As believers, we can be successful and strong in international relations if we are authentic and sincere, if we shine like a light. As Christians, this means that we have an inner peace that we convey to others. This is the inner peace that the Western world has visibly lost today. He quoted Jesus' well-known and perhaps most important words from the Gospel of John: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (Jn 14:27) We must know and always keep in mind that we can only build this peace together with God.
Margit Batthyány-Schmidt, member of the prayer group and president of the Hungarian Women's Union, gave a presentation on the role of women in the family and in the church. In her opening remarks, she said that "the role of women in the family and in religion is a centuries-old, deeply rooted story that embodies quiet strength, sacrifice, and renewal. Although long pushed into the background, they have invisibly shaped communities, and without their influence, neither family nor faith could have survived." Founded in 2013, the Hungarian Women's Union also places women's service at the center of family, nation, and faith, presenting us with female role models.
Within the family, women are traditionally the cohesive force. They are not only mothers, wives, or caregivers, but also emotional and moral centers: they are the ones who remember, listen, comfort, and pass on values. A mother's words, gestures, and prayers echo through generations. In the words of Pálné Veres: "As the woman is, so is the family; as the family is, so is the child; as the child is, so is the nation."
The religious presence of women is generally quiet, yet decisive. In every major religious tradition, we find female role models who shaped faith not through power, but through devotion. In Christianity, the Virgin Mary is a symbol of maternal love, obedience, and hope. Over time, women's service has been fulfilled in prayer, teaching, healing, and community building. They often kept hope alive even when the world around them became uncertain. He mentioned Countess Erzsébet Batthyány as an example, who played a significant role in the establishment of the Dominican Order in Sopron (Hungary) and the reconstruction of St. Martin's Church in Szombathely (Hungary), and whose three daughters all became nuns. Another important figure was Eleonóra Batthyány-Strattmann, who made a vow for the recovery of her son Károly and, as a result, contributed to the expansion of the Franciscan church in Máriagyűd (Hungary), which began in 1739.
As for the modern era, the role of women in both family and religion is undergoing a transformation. More and more women are taking on public roles and leadership positions, while continuing to uphold the values that have been associated with them for centuries. This duality—the search for tradition and new paths—gives them a special strength: it sends the message that the role of women is not confined to narrow boundaries, but is a living, evolving, and diverse task.
Following the presentations, and also as the closing of the event, those present prayed the Angelus together with the leadership of Dr. Katalin Tóth, Chair of the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group Foundation.Following the presentations, and as a conclusion to the event, those present prayed the Guardian Angel prayer together, led by Dr. Katalin Tóth, president of the Hungarian Parliamentary Imacsoport Foundation.